Record Numbers of Visitors Propel Florida’s Tourism Growth

Published on December 1, 2025

Florida’s tourism sector reached a remarkable new level, boasting 143 million visitors in 2024, a new record in the state’s history.  This recent increase in tourism underscores Florida’s attraction and the spending trends within tourism’s economic impact.  Visitors to the state spent a total of $134.9 million, a 3% increase from last year.  Domestic travellers spent the most, $120.1 million, then $14.8 million from international travellers.

Florida’s economy continues to prosper, as it tourism sector is a major influential part off of it, bringing to the state once a year a handful of tourist that range from multi-million to multi-billion dollar. For 2024 and beyond to be as successful, Florida tourism must keep the surpass of the growth.

Factors Contributing to Growth in Florida’s Tourism

The increase in Florida’s tourism in 2023 is due to a number of factors including Florida’s marketing strategies and various tourism offerings. Florida attracts tourists from across the USA and the world. Cities such as Orlando, Miami, and Tampa are major tourism attractions. Florida’s theme parks such as Walt Disney World Resort, Universal Studios, and SeaWorld, are fun for families and thrill seekers.

In addition to the theme parks, Florida has other attractions such as Miami’s art and nightlife, the natural beauty of the Everglades, the historical sites of St. Augustine, and the quiet beaches of the Gulf Coast. Florida’s world-class restaurants, culture, and cuisine, as well as the diversity of the festivals are also factors in Florida’s tourism growth.

With over 1,300 miles of coastline and beaches, including Miami Beach, Clearwater Beach, and Destin, Florida’s beaches are one of the major attractions. These beaches are relaxing and fun, attracting millions of visitors for sunbathing and for various watersports, making Florida an ideal tropical destination.

Impact of Domestic Travel on Florida’s Economy

In 2024, Florida, once again, attracted more domestic visitors than any other state. With Florida’s warm climate, tourists arrive daily to enjoy family reunions, business meetings, and vacations. Domestic tourism brought in an impressive $120.1 billion to Florida’s travel economy. Florida’s year-round appeal, as a domestic tourism-friendly state, is easily seen by its diverse activities and accessible travel amenities.

In recent years, Florida’s mix of affordable entertainment options and natural wonders has made a mark in the travel market, particularly the domestic sector. For out-of-state families, Florida is an ideal travel destination as it has an array of activities for all ages at its many amusement parks. Family-friendly lodging options are in high demand, as are Florida’s parks and natural reserves, which provide a variety of hiking, outdoor birdwatching, and wildlife viewing.

Florida’s well-established air and ground transportation services, with direct flights to and from most of the country’s major cities, and the transportation centres in Florida, like the Miami International Airport and the Orlando International Airport, all contribute to domestic travel to Florida, especially to and from the state in a relatively short timeframe. Florida accommodations in the travel and hospitality industry are also able to offer a wider selection of hotels and lodging to fit the budget of a greater with increased travel to the state and the greater demand for services to be offered.

International tourism also fuels Florida’s travel industry.

The most international travelers to Florida are from Canada, the United Kingdom, Germany, and Brazil and travel to Florida because of the the multicultural environment, the multiple large theme parks, and the many beaches. International travelers also contribute greatly to the economy of the state. Florida tourism in the year 2024, for example, reported $14.8 billion from international travellers.

Miami has a distinct international atmosphere that serves as an entry point for tourists from the Caribbean, Latin America, and the rest of the world, including Europe and the developing South American countries. Miami has multiple international events like Art Basel Miami Beach that serves as a world-class international and global art exhibition and fair that fuels Miami and rest of Florida’s integration into the global art and cultural economy. Events like Art Basel, and the Kornavinsky Miami Growers Food and Art projects serve as an economically high quantity migrant attraction for the emerging South American countries.

This relentless international growth and travel has a limitless range of upward potential withing the shifting state rebranding of Florida as an international destination. Florida state tourism has and is strengthening Florida’s international position and relationships within international tourism.

Preparing for 2024, and Burnishing a Legacy for the Future of Florida Tourism

Florida comes racing into 2024 with great expectations for tourism. Florida has high expectations for creating a tourism economy within many other sectors and high expectations for creating a tourism economy within many other sectors with a growing infrastructure, growing commercial marketing, and growing commercial eco-sustainability. Florida’s built the high attraction Florida for family with many other sectors growing. Florida will always be a high-level travel destination.

In consideration of the advances made in technology and transportation regarding sustainable and convenient travel, the forecast of Florida’s tourism industry for 2025 and beyond appears positive. With the global tourism industry bouncing back, and the diversification of Florida’s tourism offerings including eco-tourism, cultural tourism, and digital innovations, the Sunshine State’s reputation as a leading travel destination will be enhanced.